Cystoscopy with Blue Light
Introduced in 2010, blue light cystoscopy, uses blue-filtered white light to address the limitations of white light cystoscopy. This method involves administering a contrast agent into the bladder which is absorbed by the cancerous cells, causing them to fluoresce when exposed to blue light. Surgeons are then able to view images of the highlighted cancer cells and more effectively identify flat tumors and their margins for removal. While blue light cystoscopy provides sharper images of the cancer, surgeons still need white light images to get proper orientation within the bladder. Because current technology can only project one image at a time on the surgical monitor, surgeons must switch back and forth between blue and white light images and rely on memory to resect.
Another limitation of this method requires the purchase of new proprietary blue-filter endoscopes that cannot be used for any other purpose.
Even though the American Urological Association recommends blue light cystoscopy as treatment for non muscle invasive bladder cancer, and studies have proven it to be a clinical and cost-effective means of reducing recurrence, only 10% of cystoscopies performed in the U.S. use blue light.